Sharkbait’s Cocktail of the Week: He’s Got Bees!

Oh yes. Just like Gob himself, I’ve got bees again this week. I came across a list of summer drinks to enjoy by the fire. The Bee’s Elbow caught my eye, and decided to mix it up for you all this week. Before I get into the drink, can I go on a rant here for a second?

Good.

Now, drink people. Can we cool it on the Bee references here? Just because a drink has honey (or honey syrup) in it, doesn’t mean it needs bee reference. Be better.

Now, I present the Bee’s Elbow:

2 oz Gin
2 oz Local Honey
1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Mint Leaves
Cracked Ice
Club Soda to Top

Muddle 6-8 mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Crack ice with a hammer so that the middle (the coldest part of the ice) is exposed. Add to shaker. Combine gin, honey (if too thick, warm honey up a little bit), and fresh lemon juice in a shaker. Shake until you cannot hold the shaker in your hands anymore! It should be too cold to handle. Add fresh ice to a lowball glass and strain. Top with club soda to fill, and garnish with mint leaves.

I get mint on the nose immediately. It helps when you have a giant mint leaf sitting there as a garnish, on top of the 7 leaves I muddled in the shaker, and apparently did a poor job of straining out. If you can, definitely use fresh mint. Using the fresh stuff really makes a difference.

Initially I thought the soda water would detract from the overall flavor palate. However, it added a nice fizz and didn’t water it down noticeably. Another benefit to the soda is it keeps the drink light and drinkable, so one can imbibe a few in a sitting. As one is want to do…

In the sip, I get a good deal of sweetness from the honey. Which is a welcome change from the simple syrups I’ve mainly been using in these drinks. I particularly enjoy how the pure honey is less saccharine than honey syrup. The gin is noticeable, but not overpowering. It still retains enough of a kick to remind you that yes, there is booze in this. Once again, the fresh mint flavor makes an appearance, this time adding a nice, bright flavor. I want more of that in warm weather drinks.

The lemon however does get a little lost in all of this.  I can detect some lemon flavor and acidity cutting through the middle towards the end, but it doesn’t stand out like I thought it would. I would add maybe a half ounce more, just to bring it out a little bit.

It is very close to, but not exactly like a bees knees. In fact, it’s like a Bees Knees hooked up with a Whiskey smash. The offspring clearly resembles its gin parent. I think a family reunion is in order before the summer is out.